Edith Cowan University (ECU) and its Perth City Deal partners have unveiled the first designs of the state-of-the-art new ECU City Campus.
Developed over two sites opposite Yagan Square and spanning Karak Walk, the world-class design of the campus showcases vast windows and galleries across 11 super-levels that expose cleverly stacked performance spaces, studios and digital labs.
Opening to William Street Mall at Yagan Square, the university will offer new vibrancy through its dynamic digital media façade, and an immersive entrance that envelops Perth Busport, while activated streetscapes and lively common laneways will connect to Roe, Queen, and Wellington Streets.
The campus will integrate creative industries, business and technology courses with ECU’s internationally recognised Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Bespoke theatres have been designed to place Perth on the world stage.
ECU City Campus is a key project in the $1.5 billion Perth City Deal, a collaboration between the Federal Government and Western Australian Government to revitalise the Perth CBD. It will see more than 9,000 students and staff calling the campus home by 2025.
The $695 million city campus is jointly funded, with the Morrison Government committing $245 million, the Western Australian Government providing $150 million and ECU contributing $300 million.
ECU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steve Chapman CBE, said the concept design reveals a unique and welcoming campus that completely defies traditional expectations.
“We have a clear vision and ambition for Western Australia’s first comprehensive city campus, and that is to deliver a remarkable university as well as a landmark for Perth’s CBD,” Professor Chapman said.
“Students, staff and visitors will be treated to a sensory experience from the moment they step in. It will be like nothing they have ever known.”
“ECU City’s design, both physically and symbolically, reaches outwards, with a strong visual connection to its surrounds. It will be a university on show – inviting people to connect and be involved with what is occurring within.”
“The campus will be purposefully embedded with industry and connect the commercial, cultural and entertainment precincts of Perth, and is designed to project life, energy, and opportunity into the heart of our city. Its proximity to industry is a game-changer for engagement and partnership with business.”
“This is a once in a generation opportunity to create what we see as the university of the future, and to reinforce ECU and Perth as a highly desirable centre of education, research, innovation and performance,” he commented.
Minister for Industrial Relations and Senator for Western Australia, Michaelia Cash, said the designs are truly impressive and will reshape inner Perth in a way that will bring global attention to the city.
“As the centrepiece of the ambitious Perth City Deal this campus will help make Perth a more vibrant and exciting place to live as well as support jobs in the construction phase and after it’s completed,” Minister Cash said.
The game-changing project is expected to support more than 3,000 construction jobs and create more than 380 ongoing jobs.
A development application for the city campus will be lodged with DevelopmentWA later this month, with early site works expected to commence later this year.
Artist’s impression of the ECU City Campus, courtesy of ECU.
